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Himesh Reshammiya kept a relatively low-profile for some time. That's all about to change now. The singing sensation is back with a vengeance. Quite literally so! And it's not just the onslaught of promos we are talking about.
After the surprise success of Aap Kaa Surroor: The Moviee -- The Real Luv Story, Reshammiya takes a second shot at acting, reprising Rishi Kapoor's Monty, in Satish Kaushik's remake of Subhash Ghai's reincarnation drama, Karz. This one's called Karzzzz.
Co-starring Urmila Matondkar and director Indra Kumar's daughter, Shweta in roles popularised by Simi Garewal and Tina Munim, Karzzzz, but obviously, is composed and crooned by Reshammiya. 
The fancily packaged two-CD album is super lengthy (nine tracks, ten remixes) and self-indulgent with all typically Reshammiya characteristics --nasal singing, saraangi, drawling alaaps, recurring phrases -- in place.
While some of these tracks, owing to constant bombardment, are bound to grow on the listener, others range between 'hmmm' to 'ho-hum'. Thankfully enough, barring Ek hasina thi, Karzzzz refrains from meddling with Laxmikant-Pyarelal's timeless chart-busters of the original.
The soundtrack kick starts on an enigmatic note with Lut jaon lut jaon, which bears a haunting resemblance to a Karunesh creation. Even so, Harshdeep's husky lilt does a commendable job, blending nicely with Himesh in a rustic avatar.
Rishi Kapoor heartfelt rhetorical -- Tumne kabhi kisise pyaar kiya hai? is revamped to Yeh mohabbat bhi kya cheez hai in the new Karzzzz. And Om Shanti Om is reborn as Hari Om Hari Om with a wannabe accent. While we admire Reshammiya's brand of kinetic energy, the pumped-up volume but flat content of Hari Om fails to make for a fervent chant.
It must be noted that lyricist Sameer has been rather complacent, penning a rhyming phrase or two and reiterate it endlessly throughout the song. The bland and boring Hinglish ditty, Tandoori Nights, rendered routinely by Sunidhi Chauhan and Reshammiya, clearly reflects this sluggishness.
Partners-in-nasal rhyme Reshammiya and Tulsi Kumar collaborate next on Soniye je tere and its subsequently re-interpreted mellow version, Tera bina chain na aave. Only both sound like a hastily put together recycled edition of Aafreen tera chehra (Red), Viraniya (Namastey London) and Allah kare (Ahista Ahista).
Fortunately, despite an air of familiarity, Dhoom tere ishq ki creates a genuinely melodious and soothing vibe around its listener. Dhoom, basically, tries to re-create a Dard-e-dil moment whilst making a honorable mention (Aur thodi der mein hum juda ho jaayenge) of the original. If you cared for the breezy Mann ki lagan (Paap), there's no reason why this won't catch your fancy.
The pleasantries are short-lived when Reshammiya gets down to gruffly growling on the maniacal albeit mundane beats of Sisak sisak ke. Synthetic sounds and superficial compliments dominate the bumpy excuse of desi-fied slow rock, Masha allah.
And for the grand finale, Reshammiya offers you his version of the iconic Ek hasina thi and its unforgettable guitar play. To his credit, Reshammiya is surprisingly un-nasal while Shreya Ghosal is strictly alright. The remix, on its own, is audibly overwhelmed and conscious by the original's larger-than-life melodrama and magnificence to deliver anything new or pay just ode to L-P's hard-hitting original.
The accompanying CD is chockablock with club and lounge remixes, which are sufficiently bouncy in nature, electronic in sound and foot-tapping in response.
Being a Himesh Reshammiya soundtrack, it's bound to find its share of buyers and admirers. If only Karzzzz wasn't burdened with the presence of SO MANY songs. It tends to get unbelievably tedious after a point. On second thoughts, the extra Zzz's, in the title, finally begin to make sense.
Rediff Rating: 